CDN Certified Dialysis Nurse Exam 2026 | 200 Practice
Questions & Detailed Answers | NNCC Nephrology Nursing
Test Bank | A+ Guide
SECTION 1: KIDNEY DISEASE CONCEPTS & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–35)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the kidneys in maintaining
homeostasis?
A) Production of insulin
B) Regulation of blood glucose
C) Regulation of fluid, electrolytes, and acidbase balance
D) Storage of vitamins
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The kidneys maintain internal balance by regulating fluid volume, electrolytes (such as
sodium and potassium), and acidbase status through filtration and excretion.
2. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
A) Acute reversible damage to renal tubules
B) Progressive and irreversible loss of nephron function over time
C) Sudden obstruction of the renal artery causing ischemia
D) Autoimmune destruction of glomerular basement membrane
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: CKD is defined as progressive and irreversible loss of nephron function over a period of
months to years. The loss of nephrons is permanent and leads to declining glomerular filtration rate
(GFR).
3. What is the most common cause of endstage renal disease (ESRD)?
A) Glomerulonephritis
B) Diabetes mellitus
C) Kidney stones
D) Polycystic kidney disease
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of ESRD worldwide, followed by hypertension.
4. A patient with CKD stage 4 has a GFR of 28 mL/min/1.73m². What is the most accurate description of
this stage?
A) Kidney damage with normal or high GFR
B) Mild decrease in GFR
C) Moderate decrease in GFR
D) Severe decrease in GFR
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: CKD Stage 4 is defined as severe decrease in GFR with a range of 1529 mL/min/1.73m². At
this stage, patients require preparation for renal replacement therapy.
,5. Which of the following is considered to be the renal corpuscle?
A) Proximal tubule and Loop of Henle
B) Bowman's capsule and glomerulus
C) Distal tubule and collecting duct
D) Juxtaglomerular apparatus and macula densa
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The renal corpuscle consists of Bowman's capsule and the glomerulus. This structure is the
initial filtering component of the nephron where blood plasma is filtered to form filtrate.
6. What is the primary cause of anemia in patients with CKD?
A) Iron deficiency from poor dietary intake
B) Decreased erythropoietin production by the kidneys
C) Chronic blood loss through dialysis circuit
D) Vitamin B12 deficiency from restricted diet
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The primary cause of anemia in CKD is decreased erythropoietin (EPO) production by the
damaged kidneys. EPO stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.
7. A dialysis patient presents with bone pain and fractures. Which mineral bone disorder is most likely
responsible?
, A) Osteoporosis from steroid use
B) Osteitis fibrosa cystica from secondary hyperparathyroidism
C) Osteomalacia from vitamin D intoxication
D) Paget disease of bone
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Renal osteodystrophy includes osteitis fibrosa cystica caused by secondary
hyperparathyroidism due to phosphate retention, low calcium, and decreased vitamin D activation in
CKD.
8. Which hormone is produced by the kidney in response to low oxygen levels?
A) Calcitriol
B) Renin
C) Erythropoietin
D) Aldosterone
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidney as a response to low O2 levels; this
hormone stimulates erythrocyte production.
9. Acute renal failure (ARF) is characterized by:
A) Progressive loss of nephron function over years
B) Rapid progression, lasting less than 3 months, with loss of nephron function
C) GFR remaining below 60 mL/min for more than 3 months
Questions & Detailed Answers | NNCC Nephrology Nursing
Test Bank | A+ Guide
SECTION 1: KIDNEY DISEASE CONCEPTS & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–35)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the kidneys in maintaining
homeostasis?
A) Production of insulin
B) Regulation of blood glucose
C) Regulation of fluid, electrolytes, and acidbase balance
D) Storage of vitamins
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The kidneys maintain internal balance by regulating fluid volume, electrolytes (such as
sodium and potassium), and acidbase status through filtration and excretion.
2. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
A) Acute reversible damage to renal tubules
B) Progressive and irreversible loss of nephron function over time
C) Sudden obstruction of the renal artery causing ischemia
D) Autoimmune destruction of glomerular basement membrane
Correct Answer: B
,Explanation: CKD is defined as progressive and irreversible loss of nephron function over a period of
months to years. The loss of nephrons is permanent and leads to declining glomerular filtration rate
(GFR).
3. What is the most common cause of endstage renal disease (ESRD)?
A) Glomerulonephritis
B) Diabetes mellitus
C) Kidney stones
D) Polycystic kidney disease
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of ESRD worldwide, followed by hypertension.
4. A patient with CKD stage 4 has a GFR of 28 mL/min/1.73m². What is the most accurate description of
this stage?
A) Kidney damage with normal or high GFR
B) Mild decrease in GFR
C) Moderate decrease in GFR
D) Severe decrease in GFR
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: CKD Stage 4 is defined as severe decrease in GFR with a range of 1529 mL/min/1.73m². At
this stage, patients require preparation for renal replacement therapy.
,5. Which of the following is considered to be the renal corpuscle?
A) Proximal tubule and Loop of Henle
B) Bowman's capsule and glomerulus
C) Distal tubule and collecting duct
D) Juxtaglomerular apparatus and macula densa
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The renal corpuscle consists of Bowman's capsule and the glomerulus. This structure is the
initial filtering component of the nephron where blood plasma is filtered to form filtrate.
6. What is the primary cause of anemia in patients with CKD?
A) Iron deficiency from poor dietary intake
B) Decreased erythropoietin production by the kidneys
C) Chronic blood loss through dialysis circuit
D) Vitamin B12 deficiency from restricted diet
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The primary cause of anemia in CKD is decreased erythropoietin (EPO) production by the
damaged kidneys. EPO stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.
7. A dialysis patient presents with bone pain and fractures. Which mineral bone disorder is most likely
responsible?
, A) Osteoporosis from steroid use
B) Osteitis fibrosa cystica from secondary hyperparathyroidism
C) Osteomalacia from vitamin D intoxication
D) Paget disease of bone
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Renal osteodystrophy includes osteitis fibrosa cystica caused by secondary
hyperparathyroidism due to phosphate retention, low calcium, and decreased vitamin D activation in
CKD.
8. Which hormone is produced by the kidney in response to low oxygen levels?
A) Calcitriol
B) Renin
C) Erythropoietin
D) Aldosterone
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidney as a response to low O2 levels; this
hormone stimulates erythrocyte production.
9. Acute renal failure (ARF) is characterized by:
A) Progressive loss of nephron function over years
B) Rapid progression, lasting less than 3 months, with loss of nephron function
C) GFR remaining below 60 mL/min for more than 3 months
